Alma K. (Anderson) Gardalen

Alma Gardalen, 89, of Pope Joy, died Thursday, March 31, 2005 at her home.

Funeral services for Alma Gardalen will be held on Monday, April 4, 2005 at 10:30 AM at the First Lutheran Church in Dows with Pastor Paul Thompson officiating. Burial will take place at Otis Grove Cemetery in rural Dows.

Visitation for Alma Gardalen will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2005 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Dows Community Funeral Home, 300 Lee Street, in Dows.

Alma, the daughter of Siguard and Martha (Frislie) Anderson, was born on June 19, 1915 in Dows. She grew up in Dows and graduated from Dows High School.

On October 10, 1942, Alma was united in marriage with Harley Gardalen in Dows. The couple made their home in Popejoy where they owned and operated Gardalen Hardware and Electric for 60 years.

Alma loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a very hard worker with a big heart. She was an avid sports fan, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and Big Ten basketball.

Alma was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Dows, where she was the organist for many years and active in the women's circle. She was very religious and loved music and playing the organ. She was a member of the Popejoy Improvement Club.

Alma is survived by her husband Harley; three daughters Vicki Wiechmann, Judy (Bob) Thomas, and Karen (Bill) Knight; six grandchildren; and sister Leona Gardalen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and a son-in-law.